Volunteer

CSUN is a diverse, inclusive community and encourages everyone to donate or volunteer whenever possible. CSUN with A HEART and the resources on campus bring the community together while helping Matadors succeed. Each act has a positive impact and fulfills our #1 goal, which is to support our students.

Student Volunteer Opportunities

The Basic Needs Office welcomes student volunteers! Volunteers are critical to the success of our programs and make our community a more supportive and inclusive space.

Through our volunteer opportunities, we aim to provide avenues for students to serve our community and programs while taking an active approach to creating solution-based practices. While volunteering, students can gain skills to successfully integrate their academics and interests while contributing to their professional development. Students can develop important skills for collaborating and working with others and enhance their professional experience. We truly believe that through the active practice of service, one gains as much as they give!

See below for volunteer opportunities available. Please note, commitment time frames and hours can vary by program. These are detailed below.

CalFresh Outreach and Nourish to Flourish Programming Opportunities

CalFresh Outreach is an application assistance program that supports potentially eligible students with obtaining food aid. CSUN is one of the CSU campuses subcontracted through a cost-share grant by the Chico State Center for Healthy Communities to promote application assistance to the college student population. CalFresh Outreach application assistance is accomplished by student “Advocates” who support their peers in overcoming three hurdles to obtaining benefits: the application, the interview, and collecting verification documents.

Volunteer Advocates will assist with the following tasks depending on availability:

  • Providing CalFresh Food application assistance
  • Assist with drop-in hours at various campus locations
  • Assist with tabling events
  • Must commit to 4 hours per week plus any scheduled trainings (usually virtually via Zoom, but not always). Also, must attend additional check-in meetings as scheduled.

Requirements

  • Complete all assigned trainings in a timely manner
  • Ability to commit at least one full semester
  • Must assist in at least 1 outreach event during the course of the semester
  • Comfortable with providing customer service
  • Agreeable attitude

Benefits

  • Network and build relationships with other like-minded individuals
  • Gain interpersonal communication skills by providing one-on-one service
  • Resume builder
  • Support your CSUN community
  • Can qualify for service learning/community engagement requirements

We invite our campus community to participate in free workshops discussing topics such as: how to read a nutrition label, how to shop on a budget, how to build a healthy plate, and more. Follow us on social media for nutrition information, healthy recipes, and other fun extras including our new group workshops hosted on Instagram @calfreshoutreach.

Volunteers will assist with the following tasks depending on your availability:

  • Providing nutrition education according to provided curriculum
  • Assist with identifying information for social media content including recipe cards, food demonstrations, and physical activity education
  • Assist with tabling events
  • Must commit to 4 hours per week, which may be split into 2-hour commitments, plus any scheduled trainings (usually virtually via Zoom but not always). Also must attend additional check-in meetings as scheduled.

Requirements

  • Complete all assigned trainings in a timely manner
  • Must present at least 3 workshops and/or participate in 3 outreach events during the course of the semester
  • Comfortable with providing customer service
  • Agreeable attitude

Benefits

  • Network and build relationships with other like-minded individuals
  • Gain public speaking skills by facilitating nutritional workshops
  • Resume builder
  • Support your CSUN community
  • Can qualify for service learning/community engagement requirements

CSUN Food Pantry

The CSUN Food Pantry exists to provide emergency nourishment and basic necessities at no cost to CSUN’s students. The Food Pantry supplies food and offers food program assistance to those who are without reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. Our goal is to minimize the academic impact on our students by providing the essentials. The Food Pantry is a resource for CSUN students, faculty, and staff to help alleviate food insecurity and hunger within our campus community.

Volunteers will assist with the following tasks depending on availability:

  • Weighing, sorting, and accepting donations
  • Greeting and assisting visitors and distributing food

Must commit to at least one 3-hour shift on any of these days

Shifts available:

  • Monday - Friday
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday & Thursday
    • 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Requirements:

  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly
  • Must wear close-toed shoes and clothing that allows freedom of movement that won't snag
  • Able to work in a fast-paced environment and follow directions
  • Comfortable with providing customer service
  • Agreeable attitude

Benefits:

  • Can qualify for service learning/community engagement requirements
  • Experience in civic engagement
  • Resume builder

Basic Needs Outreach

The Basic Needs Outreach Advocate position is an unpaid opportunity which provides supporting outreach efforts for the Basic Needs Office. In this role, the Advocate will support various initiatives, including tabling events and conducting Basic Needs Office presentations to raise awareness about available resources and services. The position will involve engaging with students, providing information, and helping to ensure that the Basic Needs Office's message reaches a wide audience. The Advocate will work closely with the Basic Needs Office Student Outreach Coordinator and Student Assistant, receiving supervision and guidance to ensure all outreach activities align with the office’s goals and objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to gain experience in advocacy, outreach, and community engagement while supporting a meaningful cause. 

Advocates will assist with the following tasks depending on availability:

  • Providing outreach support for the office by staffing tabling and presentations.
  • Assist at the CSUN Food Pantry (as needed).
  • Assist with social media ideas.
  • Must commit to 4 hours per week plus any scheduled trainings (usually virtually via Zoom, but not always). Also, must attend additional check-in meetings as scheduled.

Requirements:

  • Complete all assigned trainings in a timely manner as assigned
  • Ability to commit at least one full semester
  • Must assist in at least 6 outreach events/presentations during the course of the semester
  • Comfortable with providing customer service, presenting, and tabling
  • Agreeable attitude

Benefits:

  • Network and build relationships with other like-minded individuals
  • Gain interpersonal communication and presentation skills
  • Resume builder
  • Support your CSUN community
  • Can qualify for service learning/community engagement requirements

Staff and Faculty Volunteer Opportunities

For staff and faculty interested in volunteering with Basic Needs programs, please reach out directly to the Director for Basic Needs, Maria Elizondo. Our staff contact information can be found on the About Us page.